Defiant Ben & That's An Order!

Isolated Warehouse Complex – Small Locked Room

The door opened and Daphne jumped at the grating sound of the hinges. Mousa walked in and sneered "So you finally decided to wake up Daphne."

Daphne held Ben close and tightly as she stood up and backed away from Mousa seeing the gun in his hand. When she got to the far corner she pried Ben from her arms and put him behind her, shielding him. "Mousa, thank you for rescuing me." She tried to use this tactic first. Maybe he didn't know yet. "After I was …"

"Save it. Yassin watched it all at the farmhouse, as you exited SRU and at the safe house. You are a traitor. You will die like a traitor. But if you give me what I want then your son will live." Mousa lied about the last. "Grab her and the boy" he said to four men that entered just behind him.

Daphne shouted "No, leave him alone he is just a little boy" as three men yanked her forward and twisted her arms behind her. She tried not to scream in pain but a small yelp escaped.

Ben was scared and he bit the hand of the man who reached for him and then ran from him as the man screamed in pain. The man chased after him. Little Ben dodged and weaved in between legs causing havoc as the man tried to catch him. The man was yelling at him. Mousa was yelling at the man.

When he ended up in a corner, Ben stopped running, his little heart was beating so fast in fear. He was panting a little bit trying to find away from the bad man and watched wide eyed as the man came closer. Ben kicked him hard in the shin with the foot that still had a shoe on it then slipped past him again. The man yelped in pain again.

"Get the brat" Mousa yelled.

Mousa reached out to grab him as he came close but Ben was just beyond his reach and Mousa ended up with air instead of boy. As Ben ran behind one of the men holding Daphne he tripped on his untied shoelace. As he fell he knocked into the back of the man's knee causing the man's leg to give way.

The man fell sideways whacking his head on the cement wall. Ben rolled out of the way just in time. Daphne was struggling herself but the men were stronger and two of them had her arms wrenched up very high behind her nearly dislocating her shoulders.

Ben scooted around Mousa again. This time he got ahold of the edge of Ben's shirt but the little boy was to nimble and fast and as he turned to try and get away Ben's head accidentally rammed hard into Mousa's groin.

Mousa yelled and let loose as he clutched himself and fell to his knees dropping the gun he held. Mousa called out for more men when the pain from the hit subsided a bit. Two more appeared.

The room was so small there wasn't really any place for Ben to go now with so many men. He had backed up close to a corner. But he had picked up the gun that Mousa dropped. He had no clue really what he was doing but he knew what a gun was; he had played with water guns and nerf guns before with mommy and Assaf. So he knew you just point them and pulled the thingy on the handle.

When he had touched Unca Sam's gun when they had the snack and asked why he had one, Unca Sam said it was 'for protecting people'. He liked the new word protecting and asked Unca Sam what it meant. Unca Sam had said 'protecting was like caring for people, helping or saving people and stopping people from hurting other people'. Then he had asked who needed protecting and Unca Sam said 'lots of people'. Ben asked like mommies and Unca Sam had smiled at him, nodded and said 'yes like mommies'.

Ben was so afraid but if Unca Sam could protect people with one he could protect his mommy. So Ben pointed the gun at Mousa. He wanted to protect his mommy they were hurting her, he had heard her scream.

The gun was heavy and Ben could not hold it up for long but he yelled at the top of his lungs his voice as shaky as his hands "Bad man, bad man. No hurt my mommy. Let my mommy go. I protect my mommy."

Everyone stilled, they were shocked and surprised that the boy was leveling the gun at Mousa's midsection. Daphne could not believe her four year old son was trying to stand up to these men. How very brave. How very reckless.

She thought a true a combination of father and mother. She started to say something but Mousa walked directly to her as he pulled a long sharp knife from its sheath. Mousa placed it against her throat drawing a little blood.

Mousa stood with the knife to Daphne's throat watching the insolent, defiant little brat pointing a gun, his gun, at him. He knew the safety was on and he finally had enough. He yelled at the boy "Stop now or I kill you mother right now." He pricked her neck again making it bleed a little more to make his point known to the brazen brat.

Ben's eyes went wide and filled with fear seeing the scary long knife and his mommy bleeding. He also knew that knives hurt. He had cut his hand open playing with Assaf's knife.

Mommy had yelled really loud at Assaf for leaving it in his reach. So he knew knives hurt, they hurt a lot. As he stared transfixed by the knife at his mommy's throat, one of the men snuck up from behind him and grabbed him tightly and lifted him off the ground. The heavy gun dropped from his hands to the ground.

Mousa sheathed the knife. He retrieved his gun. Mousa walked back to Daphne and slapped her open handed across the face leaving bright red welts in the shape of fingers on her cheek.

He sneered at her "That was for having a defiant little brat."

Daphne kept her mouth shut. She knew this man. He killed at the drop of a hat and she needed time. She knew Blaze would be coming. He would find them. She had to use her head and keep them alive until he got here. Daphne clenched her jaw to keep from ranting at him because he would surely put a bullet through her head if she did.

But Ben didn't know better and he yelled angrily at Mousa "You a bad man. Leave my mommy alone. You hurt her. You supposed to protect mommies, Unca Sam says so."

Mousa walked up to the little boy who was now squirming mightily in the man's arms. Ben was held against the man's chest with his back against the man's chest. "So you have an Uncle Sam?"

Ben nodded defiantly.

Daphne said urgently "Don't talk to the bad man."

Ben did not listen to his mom. His four year old eyes glaring at the bad man he said defiantly "My Unca Sam was daddy's best friend. Unca Sam and Unca Donald Duck and Unca Windy protect people. They are gonna come save me and mommy. You not hurt my mommy again."

An evil smile crossed Mousa's lips. His mind put the picture together from Yassin's descriptions. Only one blonde at the farmhouse. Only one blonde on the SRU team. So the SRU officer Sam Braddock, the General's son, was the brat's father's best friend. That could be useful, very useful. These others, Duck and Windy, he would get their real names out of Daphne.

Daphne pleaded "Please hush sweetie." She knew Ben didn't realize how dangerous the situation was. How could he? Ben was just barely four years old.

Mousa leaned close and sneered at the boy "If you're Uncles come here they will die. I will kill them myself."

As he screamed angrily "Bad man, bad man" Ben kicked out and up hard as he struggled to get loose. Again he accidentally hit Mousa. This time his little foot connected solidly on Mousa's jaw.

Mousa roared at the indignity of a little brat kicking his face, taking his gun, and hitting his groin "You little brat. You are going to pay for that."

Daphne saw Mousa's hand rising to hit her son and shrieked at him to get his attention "You are going to die bastard. You hurt my boy. I am going to kill all of you. You are dead."

Mousa lowered his hand, rubbed the spot where Ben's foot hit and turned to her. The look on her face told him she would give him all the information he needed by threatening to hurt this boy.

His evil and cruel smile returned "I think not. Bring her. Tape the brat up and take him to Qasim."

The brat would surely pay for his insolence. Mousa had intended to kill him quickly with little or no pain. But now Qasim could have him. She could watch as Qasim had his fun.

One man ran forward and taped Ben's hands and feet while two others held him. He was about to tape the boy's mouth when Mousa said "No I want her to be able to hear his screams." Mousa left the room.

They dragged her kicking, twisting and bucking from the room. The other man headed in the opposite direction with Ben and into a stairwell. She heard Ben continually shrieking "Mommy, mommy, mommy …." as he took him away. Ben's calls getting fainter the further they were separated.

Daphne had no idea who Qasim was but Mousa's cruel smile told her she should be worried, very worried for her little boy. She struggled as hard as she could against her captors, she was strong and it took all the men had to restrain her. She yanked hard one last time trying to dislodge the men and earned a punch to the gut.

When she recovered enough air she yelled "You are going to die bastard. You all are going to die. You have no idea what you have done and who is coming after you. You are all dead. They will not rest until you are dead, every last one of you."

Mousa continued to walk as he laughed and said "No one is coming. We killed them all at the safe house. They are all dead. No one is coming for you Daphne or your little brat."

Daphne refused to believe him. Blaze and his unit would come for them. So she continued to fight and struggle against the men.

Isolated Warehouse Complex – Outside, Treeline

The unit and team had stopped and geared up nearly a mile from Winds reported location. It was a long distance but the only option that would allow them a covered and stealth path to Winds. They could not risk detection. The unit was heavily equipped with weaponry. The team was all outfitted with MP5 and extra ammo.

Jules and Ed had their sniper rifles slung over their shoulders. Sam carried the riot pack and extra gear for Winds. Greg, Wordy and Leah all carried shields. Spike carried his special tech pack with all kinds of gadgets that may or may not be needed; he wanted to be prepared being so far away from the vehicles. Team One and the JTF2 unit were all tapped into the same communication headsets but they had yet to turn them on.

Sam looked at them all as everyone did a final check they had everything they might need. They had devised a basic strategic plan but needed to find Winds, get his intel then make any adjustments needed to their basic plan.

"Ready?" Sam asked.

Everyone nodded.

Sam started to sprint stealthily through the woods to the location indicated by Winds. The others followed. Spike started to follow then realized he had forgotten his basic bomb pack so quickly grabbed it and hurried to catch up.

Everyone was drenched in sweat by the time Sam signaled for them to slow. Today must be a record for heat and humidity. As Sam approached the area Winds should be in he slowed. He took a knee signaling the others to do as well. Sam scanned the area looking for likely hiding areas. With hand signals he indicated to the rest to stay as he moved forward slowly and cautiously to locate Winds.

Sam made his way in a low crouched position constantly scanning for Winds. He would be here but hidden. He stopped and gave the soft bird-like call he had used in the unit long ago and waited. No recall. He moved forward several yards, stopped and repeated the call. Still no recall.

Again he moved forward, halted and called. This time it was returned. Sam called once again and it was returned. Sam pinpointed the location about twenty yards from him.

Winds made himself visible but did not move from his position.

Sam had forgotten just how good Winds was at concealment. He thought wow I would have never seen him there. Sam approached Winds' position in a low crouch then took a knee beside him.

Winds noticed the full Army uniform and the state of Blondie's face. He gave him a questioning look then said under his breath "Damn good to see you Blondie but you're out of uniform."

Sam had given Winds the briefest of glances; completely ignored the uniform comment and looked back to where the unit and team were. He gave the signal to the rest to move forward as he said in a low voice over his shoulder to Winds "Good to see you to Winds; brought reinforcements."

They both watched the group start to move forward. Everyone came forward and took a knee or squatted down and busied themselves with preparing for the mission; removing packs, adjusting weapons, double checking ammo. Jules and Ed were removing the sniper rifles from their cases.

Satisfied everyone was hidden well enough for now he finally turned to Winds. Sam was about to ask Winds for the sit-rep when he registered Winds precarious physical state. Christ Winds looked ready to pass out. Sam clearly saw the signs of heat exhaustion bordering on heat stroke.

Urgently Sam asked "Status?" as he placed a hand on Winds forehead. It was only there for a second before Winds knocked it away. It was enough time to warm Sam's hand significantly. Winds was in a bad way.

Winds responded "Clean through, bleeding stopped. Got water?"

Sam recognized Winds avoided his complete status and ordered firmly "Winds health status now."

Patch had trained them all to give at least some information. But Winds always downplayed his injuries and avoided giving his full status. The only way he would ever consent to Patch's ministrations was a direct order from Blaze or if he was already out cold.

As Mason approached he heard the exchange between them so handed Winds a bottle of water. Speaking in the same low voice he said "You look like crap buddy."

Winds glared at him.

Mason called out softly "Pawn."

Russ looked over at the call for Pawn. Both he and Pawn headed to Winds. Pawn seeing the situation quickly pulled out his medic pack. Winds glared at both Blondie and Mason as Pawn did a brief assessment of his condition.

Pawn looked to Mason and Blondie "He's down, needs care soon but I can start an IV for fluids now to stabilize things."

Winds protested in an irritated voice "I'm okay. I can handle this. Just need a bit of water."

Sam and Mason shared a look then both snorted and commanded quietly at the same time "Stand down now, that's an order."

Damn they knew Winds so well Russ thought and could not stop the small smile. Blaze would read Winds the riot act for trying to dismiss his current tenuous state.

Russ crouched down next to Mason and looking at Winds said "Man you are beet red and bone dry. I can feel the radiated heat from you all the way over here. You haven't moved since we arrived. Bet you can't even stand without being dizzy and passing out. You don't want to pull a 'Blondie' do you?"

Sam scowled at Winds. How the hell did Russ know about that? He wasn't even with the unit then and that was so long ago. He looked between Mason and Winds then grumbled out softly "Damn you both. You just can't let me live that one down can you?" Sam heard Ed snickering behind him.

Winds, Russ and Mason all laughed quietly "Never."

Sam needed to change the subject and get the information "Pawn proceed. Sit-rep Winds."

Winds then launched into the information as Pawn worked. Pawn removed Winds' jacket as Winds explained how he obtained the information. Sam handed Winds the PDA with the blueprints to point out Daphne's and Ben's probable locations as Pawn inserted the IV in his hand.

Pawn took Winds' temperature and instantly opened several bottles of water. Winds sputtered and glared at Pawn when Pawn poured the water from the bottles over his head, chest, back and down his arms and legs; completely dousing him.

Winds groused "Come on man, just wait a moment will ya."

Pawn's tone brooked no defiance "No. Your temp is too high. You talk, I work."

Winds literally growled at him and glowered for a moment. Pawn did not back down.

Switching his gaze to Blondie, Winds looked for support but Blondie just shook his head slightly and instructed both of them "Continue."

Reluctantly submitting to Pawn's care again Winds described Bandar's scarred face so they would know him and treat him as a friendly if they encountered him. Pawn made Winds lay down again and applied instant ice packs to his armpits, groin, back and neck. Pawn's check all his vitals as Winds reported how Mousa killed his men and that Bandar thought he was planning to do it today after he got information from Daphy.

Sam stopped him a moment "Hold a moment." He turned and found Spike "Hey Spike, got your bomb kit?"

Spike smiled and replied patting his pack "Right here." He was so glad he had remembered it. He would have hated to run two more miles in this heat to go back and retrieve it. Spike set both packs on the ground and dug in his tech bag. They didn't use them all the time but he thought it would be a good idea to use them today. He needed to find them.

Sam nodded in acknowledgement then wondered just what the heck Spike was digging for. He was glad to see Spike had not withdrawn and had actually smiled when he asked about the bomb pack. Angus' conversation with Spike earlier today might have helped a bit.

He hoped they didn't need it today. If they did he would have to bring Spike into play in the warehouse because Mason's bomb expert was Pirate and he was guarding Blaze's unit. Sam really didn't want to have to do that.

Sam pushed that thought from his mind and turned back to Winds indicating for him to continue. Pawn was applying a new pressure bandage as Winds was finishing his report out. The only thing left to provide was a description of Mousa.

Winds said "Bandar described Mousa as short, maybe five five or five six and heavy set. He is olive skinned and has brown eyes. He is bald but always wears a black cap. He has a full long beard that is black and streaked heavily with gray. He wears round silver framed glasses. He is older maybe fifty to sixty years old. Today Mousa was wearing a short pale yellow tunic over black pants."

When he was done giving his information Winds was completely wiped out.

Without saying anything Jules handed Winds two power bars and a sports drink from her pack.

Winds just looked at the bars and drink then at Jules a little shocked and very touched by her kindness. He smiled and mouthed thanks and took them.

Jules nearly laughed as she watched him eat, two bites is all it took for him to down a single bar. It reminded her so much of how Sam ate. These men were tough but even they had physical limits.

Sam watched the interaction and grinned. Jules was kindhearted. She recognized a need and helped, that was one of the reasons she was so good at negotiations. Her intuition had saved so many people he had thought were beyond help. She talked them down. He was going to miss that. Hell he was going to miss all of them.

His mind drifted a bit to what he was losing, it hurt so much. Crap it was hard to keep his mind focused. It kept shifting from one world to another. Every time he thought his was firmly in the soldier world some little thing pulled him back to SRU world. Both worlds were about protecting people but the methods to achieve that were vastly different.

Mason was watching the conflicted and unfocused interplay in Blondie's eyes. Damn the kid was so FINE today but putting up a valiant effort to push it aside and stay on task. He had promised to support him today.

He was watching carefully to intercede when and if necessary. So Mason cleared his throat lightly to get Sam's attention. Sam looked at him and Mason said "So the plan?"

A curt nod to Mason acknowledge that Sam appreciated the help just given and Sam quickly shook off the other thoughts. He launched into a review of the plan. They made adjustments based on the new intel. Now they would split and go into both buildings at once. One rookie was partnered with one experienced unit member. Two pairs would take the command build and one pair would go into the supply building.

Sam and Apollo were Alpha and would take the basement of the command building then the tunnel between. Mason and Pawn were Bravo and would take the supply building and meet Blondie in the basement of that building. Russ and Cameo were Charlie and would take the first and second floor of the command building.

Based on the intel, they now only needed single sniper position that Jules would occupy. She would cover the second floor window of the command building. The perimeter positions were adjusted slightly now that Ed was no longer needed as a sniper.

Sam then looked at Winds on the ground. He pulled out an extra k-bar knife, a Glock and three extra clips from his pack then hand them to him. Winds accepted them with a nod. It was highly unlikely anyone would break the perimeter and even in this state Winds was fairly capable of protecting himself. He could just find a hiding place until this was over. But Sam was still a little uncomfortable leaving him alone like this given what he had read about this cell.

As he stood he looked at the team and his eyes landed on Leah. A thought struck him. He could effectively bench her and reduce the probability of her having to take another life today without making her feel bad about it. It would serve two purposes. But Winds would be thoroughly pissed at him for doing this.

Sam turned to Leah "I need you to stay and provide cover for Winds in case anyone breaks the perimeter. He is in no condition to protect himself."

Leah nodded accepting the assignment without complaint. She could see Winds' state and it would not be good to leave him helpless unable to fend for himself.

Winds glared at Blondie's back. Like hell he was in no condition to protect himself. He was about to ream Blondie for that comment when he saw the reactions on Greg's and Ed's faces. He could clearly read they liked the suggestion.

Then Blondie turned around to him and covertly gave him one of his lopsided smiles and a quick wink. Crap the kid had an ulterior motive. No idea what but he shut up and went with it.

Greg and Ed smiled. They knew exactly what Sam had just done and were in full agreement.

Ed and Sam conferred once more on the change in perimeter coverage. The plan was finally set when Sam gave an instruction to the unit guys solely for the rooks benefit "Fast and silent. Keep it quiet for as long as you can. Our mission priority is to secure and rescue Ben and Daphne."

All of the unit guys placed a hand on their k-bar knife to ensure it was in proper position. They all knew that fast and silent meant slit throats and snapped necks. Not to fire their weapon unless absolutely necessary. They each prepared mentally in their own way to kill in such a manner.

The hand motions were not lost on the team. They all understood now why Sam did not want them in the warehouse. They were going in to kill not take into custody.

But then Sam shocked everyone. He opened the riot pack that was filled with plastic handcuffs and several rolls of duct tape among other items. He handed the cuffs and tape out to each unit member. "Subdue and take alive whenever possible. But do not risk yourself; you are still authorized for lethal force if necessary."

Team One was not aware of JTF2 protocols but even they sensed something was off with the order by the looks on the unit guys faces. Ed realized Sam was struggling between worlds. He was about to pull him aside for a moment when Apollo asked a question.

Although a rookie fresh out of training Apollo knew this was strange protocol when dealing with terrorists. Without thinking he rashly questioned the order and asked "But they are targets, why alive?"

Sam kept his head down rummaging through the riot pack, deliberately not making eye contact but said authoritatively and harshly "Need to know basis."

He knew it was a very sharp bend of protocol, as close to a full break as you could come, and only implied to the unit he was under orders to do it this way by pulling the need to know card. But in fact that was not the case. The true reason was that SRU had changed him. Sam just didn't think he could kill any more if had a small chance to take someone alive.

Apollo's hackles rose a bit at the harsh tone. But then he realized his serious mistake. Crap, he had questioned an order, double crap he had questioned an order from the General's son.

He was lucky it was only a harsh tone he got for questioning the order. Shit he really, really needed to control himself better or he was going to kill his career in the military before it even got started. So Apollo quickly nodded and accepted the answer without further issue.

Mason and Winds stared at Blondie, why the hell was he ordering them not to take out all the targets? This was NOT mission protocol for a terrorist cell. Something was not right they could tell by the way Blondie did not look at Apollo even if his tone was commanding. They were concerned but for different reasons.

Mason knew Blondie was fine. This was a clear indication just how fine he was and that his mind was very conflicted. Could he really do his job? That is the Army version of the job or was his mind in the SRU world?

It would be dangerous for Blondie to be in straddling both worlds going in there. It was a distraction Blondie could not afford. Shit he had promised Ed they had his back. Should he tell Ed? Those two seemed to have a connection. Maybe Ed could help Blondie get his head on straight so he didn't get himself killed.

Winds knew that it was not normal protocol. No one above Blondie would ever order a different protocol for terrorists. That would never happen. Blondie knew protocol and he always followed protocol even when he didn't like it. So what the hell was going on in his head? Winds line of thinking was interrupted by another path when he realized Blondie had completely ignored his comment about uniform before and offered no explanation.

Then it also struck him, why the hell was Blondie giving orders and not Mason? Why the hell was he in uniform? Crap this heat had thrown him way off his game to have not recognized this sooner. Blondie was like a son to Blaze and Blaze would kill him if he let anything happen to Blondie, heat stroke or no. He needed talk to Mason now.

Winds motioned for Mason to come close just as Sam asked "Ready?" Winds almost said hold but Spike piped up.

Spike said "Not quite" and opened a box with small devices. "Thought today would be a good day to tag everyone with transponders. That way, if we need to we can locate everyone."

Sam realized this is what Spike had been digging for in the tech pack.

Ed smiled and slapped Spike's back "Good idea. Tag us up."

Sam bristled, so many delays heading out. But he agreed it was a good idea but added "Do it quickly." Spike nodded and started with Sam.

Thank goodness for small favors. Winds took this opportunity to talk to Mason. Mason bent down to Winds and both could see the concern in the other's face. Winds whispered so no one could overhear "Why is Blondie in uniform and in charge?"

Mason said very quickly in a barely audible voice "Ben."

Winds understood. Blondie would do anything for Matt's boy. Serious concern and slight fear laced Winds words as he asked "What did Blondie do?"

Mason gave a small side glance to see if Blondie was listening. No he and Spike were busy with the transponders and he was focused there so he answered quietly "Voluntary Full Active Duty Reactivated."

Winds eyes widened and he stifled a sharp intake of breath and gave Mason a hard look "Blaze is gonna kill him."

Another side glance at Blondie, Mason responded "Yeah I know."

Winds asked quickly "How is he handling it? I mean that order to subdue, what's up with that? Where the hell is his head at? That's gonna get someone killed in there."

One more glance to ensure he was still engaged with Spike then on a soft sigh Mason said "Was okay until he saw a photo Qasim and blacked out. He's fine."

Winds couldn't stop this sharp intake of breath and soft words "Holy hell."

Wordy who was closest heard the intake of breath and faint words. He wondered what Mason had just told Winds. It really disconcerted Winds. Mason probably told him about the state of his unit. Wordy was concerned for all four of them and really wanted to know their condition; as he was sure everyone else did. But they were in the capable hands of doctors and there was nothing any of the team or unit could do for them; better that they focus on the job and get Daphne and Ben back.

Mason continued "Promised to support him but now I'm really worried. Wish I hadn't given my word. I so want to back out on it."

Winds gathered himself and glanced at Blondie "Who has his six?"

Mason replied "Apollo. Was going to have you team with him too but." Mason didn't need to say anymore verbally. Neither one liked the situation one damned bit.

Mason hadn't expected Winds to be down, was a bit naïve on his part, but Winds was hard to knock down so it hadn't entered his mind. But now given their resources and his commitment to support Blondie and Blondie's agreement with Ed not to put the team in the warehouse he had no other options. He had picked the best of his rooks to pair with Blondie and would have to trust Apollo to have Blondie's back.

Winds could read the worry and discontent in Mason's eyes. He also understood what was waiting for them in the building. Winds could not let Blondie go in with only a rook when he was fine. There was no way in hell that was happening. He may not be in charge of the mission but he sure as hell was the highest ranking unit member here.

He never thought the day would come that he cared about rank but here it was and he was gonna use it to its full advantage. He quickly scanned the gathered people. Blondie was now helping Spike tag Apollo, Pawn and Cameo. Winds gaze landed on Ed "Mason get Ed for me."

Mason looked at him sharply "Why?"

Winds ground out "Just do it quickly."

He eyed Winds closely another second trying to figure out what he was doing but then stood up. He took the fifteen paces to where Ed was standing with Greg and Jules then tapped him on the shoulder. "Winds needs a word with you" he said trying not to attract Blondie's attention.

Mason and Ed went to Winds and crouched down. Quick urgent under tone conversation took place between the three which was heard by no one else. When they finished speaking Ed was grim faced but nodded yes and shook Winds' hand.

Winds called out "Blondie."

Sam indicated one second while he wrapped up attaching Apollo's transponder then walked to Winds and squatted down "Yeah, what ya need buddy?" He looked at Winds and glanced at Mason and Ed too. Something was up he wasn't gonna like by the looks on all their face's.

Winds gave Blondie long assessing look then stated frankly in a voice of authority "Blondie, Ed is with you and Apollo."

Yep he didn't like this one bit. Sam went rigid and repressed the anger that surge upwards and said firmly "No."

"Yes" Winds replied in an authoritarian manner.

Sam looked to Mason and saw the guilty look. Damn he told them both he was fine. He looked back to Winds and said very quietly but belligerently "I can do my job. I don't need a babysitter."

Patting Blondie's knee Winds stated confidently even though he had major doubts "I know you can. But Ed is still going."

Sam was hacked off and said in a confrontive tone "You know what we have to do in there. I don't want Ed in there. I'm in charge of this mission." His plan to protect the team was falling apart.

Winds commanded loud enough for the others to hear "Master Corporal Braddock, I am senior rank here. Ed's going and that's an order." Everyone's attention centered on the four men.

Sam smoldered inside and the clamp he had on his emotions since finding Blaze bleeding to death on the floor of that damned kitchen broke entirely. He wanted to protect Ed from this, Ed was not a soldier. God damned Winds didn't he get that.

Rage at the entire situation he had been holding at bay all day exploded and flared in his eyes as Sam growled out "No fucking way. I refuse to let that happen. Ed will not go in..."

Winds and Mason were completely and utterly flabbergasted. Blondie was questioning, no he was refusing a direct order. Never in their lives would they have ever suspected he was even capable of doing so. He had never done that before even when he was fine. His head must be beyond screwed up right now. Winds knew he had to be hard-assed to penetrate Blondie's rage and hopefully get his head on straight. He needed the soldier to come out in full force.

So Winds interrupted his rant with steel toned, icy authority "Corporal are you refusing to comply with a direct order from a superior? If so, you will be physically restrained and removed from this mission."

Sam blinked at the question and statement. Holy crap he stunned himself. He was incredulous. He had actually questioned a direct order of a superior. Hell. Not only questioned but told a superior no fucking way and I refuse. This was the Army not SRU, you didn't do that, it had been deeply ingrained in him since he was six.

He placed his head in his hands and rubbed his face hard, shit he was more F.I.N.E. than he realized. He also understood in that instant that his time with SRU had irrevocably changed him. He would never make a good soldier again. How the hell was he going to do this and not get himself or others killed?

Holy hell he had ordered the men to subdue and take into custody. Just what the hell was he thinking? That could get them killed. In the time it would take to cuff and tape mouths someone could get the drop on them and they would be dead. The targets were cold blooded killers. They would not hesitate in the least to kill his men.

They had killed and injured so many unit men already. Mousa had personally killed hundreds. They had tried to kill Blaze and his men. They took Daphne and Ben with the intention to kill them. The image of Ben's face on the monitor seared his mind.

Sam needed that soldier persona to get through this. He needed his head on straight and to be in one world only. He dug deep, very, very deep and pulled on a mask of a detached soldier he didn't want to be but had to be.

It was his only hope to get through this. Sam had to kill all emotion in himself, lose himself in order to protect the others. This was the only mask he feared. It could consume him and take over. The last time he used it he almost did not come back. Thinking the mask was on tightly enough to cover the inner turmoil Sam lifted his head.

But the mask wasn't quite affixed and was still settling in place as Sam looked up at Winds, Mason and then Ed. They all read the intense conflict and sad acceptance in his ice blue eyes. Then saw when a switch was flipped as the mask completely settled. Winds, Mason and Ed shared a look; it was like he shut off. The lights went out of his eyes completely.

Sam stood and flatly said "Wilco" indicating to Winds that he heard and would comply with the order.

Then he walked to the riot pack and tossed the cuffs and tape into it. In the same flat emotionally detached tone he said "New orders, normal protocol, fast and silent only. Ed, Wordy reconfigure the perimeter coverage for the team." He walked a bit away from everyone and stared at the buildings and checked that his k-bar was positioned for easy retrieval and checked his Glock.

The unit guys were stunned by the change in orders but complied immediately and dropped the cuffs and tape back into the pack. Russ looked to Winds and gave him a 'what the hell just happened?' stare.

Winds just shook his head. Winds' and Mason's guts twisted. It hurt so bad to see Blondie go into the detached survival mode. They had seen that too damned often in Kandahar. Every time it got harder to pull him out of it.

This was not what he intended to happen, Winds was rebuking himself and the guilt was increasing. God dammit! If Blondie did not come out of this mode when this was over he knew eight people that would kill him, nine if he included himself in the list.

Ed compared the dead eyes and tone now to the night Sam had talked. He could tell Sam had shut down all emotion to cope. This was not good. Sure he would be able to do what he needed to do now, but the price might be just too high for Sam. He closed his eyes briefly as he sadly thought; even if they save Ben and Daphne and everyone comes out alive there just might not be a Sam left after this.

Greg, Jules, Wordy, Spike and even Leah were shocked by Sam's actions. They all saw the dead eyes and heard the unemotional tone. They wondered just what had happened in the span of a minute to change Sam so drastically but there was no time as Sam instructed everyone in a lifeless tone to turn on the headsets and asked if they were all ready.

Spike said "All set with the transponders. Sent the signal finder to everyone's PDAs just in case." Sam's tone and blank eyes worried Spike; something was wrong, very wrong. He wished he had time to ask about it now.

He tried to evoke a response from Sam by grinning widely and patting Sam's back and saying "Samtastic, go do what you do best, save people, go save Ben and Daphne."

Sam did not acknowledge Spike in any way, only said "Let's Go."

As Sam started to move toward the building, he tried very hard dismiss Spike's words and sever the connection to a life he wanted before he stepped fully into the nightmare of the one he no longer wanted.

A small corner of his mind whispered to him. Everything you love gets taken away from you. You can't live like this, it always hurts so much. It might be better if you don't make it out of the building alive.